Winch rope winder



g- 1931. T. c. SMITH ET AL 1,820,094

WINCH ROPE WINDER Filed Oct. 27. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTORS T6:Smut/0, Jflj'powar a? (j ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1931. 'r. c. SMITH ET ALWINCH ROPE WINDER Filed Oct. 27, .928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 T6. SmithINVENTORS Jfig qvwai tjfl BY B6 zt patlzclr/ ATTOKRNEY Aug. 25, 1931. T.c. SMITH ET AL 1,320,094

' WINCH ROPE WINDER Filed Oct. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Aug.25, 1931. 'r. c. SMITH ET AL WINCH ROPE WINDER Filed Oct. 27. 1928 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Z'GSmz 1931- T. c. SMITH ET AL 1,820,094

WINCH ROPE WINDER Filed Oct. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS TTORNEYFatented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics TEMPLE C. SMITH, OFWESTFIELD, AND JOHN B. SPOWART, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY,

AND PAUL'G. FITZPATRICK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO AMERICAN TELE-PHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK WINCH ROPE WINDERApplication filed October 27, 1928. Serial No. 315,550.

This invention relates to winches, and more particularly to mechanismfor controlling and guiding the winding and unwinding of rope on andfrom winch drums.

{I One of the objects ofthe invent-ion con-- sists in the provision ofmeans for feeding rope upon winch drums in orderly layers.

Another object is to provide such means for performing this functionwhich are simple and comparatively inexpensive.

These and further objects will be apparent from the followingdescription, when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation partly insection of the improved arrangement; Fig. 2 is a left end View of Fig. 1showing the driving mechanism for the cam and shaft by which the rope isguided on the winch drum; Fig. 3 is a right end view of Fig. 1, showingdriving mechanism for the winch; Fig. 4 is a perspective View of theimproved arrangement; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the winch, andFig. 6 is an alternative arrangement for driving the cam shaft to thatdisclosed in Fig. 2.

In the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a support upon one end ofwhich a housing 6 for a winch worm and wheel is mounted. The support 5at its opposiie end provides a mounting for a winch bearing support 7. Ashaft 8 which is positioned longitudinally of the improved device, is journaled at one end in the housing 6 and at the other end in the bearingsupport 7. This shaft 8 may be driven by a worm wheel 9 and worm 10, orby spur gear as desired. The worm wheel 9 and worm 10 may be of ordinaryconstruction and associated with each other and with the shaft 8 in awell understood manner. These elements may be enclosed in the housing 6,as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. The worm 10 is driven by powertransmitted through sprocket 11, chain 12, from a main shaft drivesprocket 13 (Fig. 4). This drive sprocket 13 maybe operated by means ofa clutch mechanism operated by forks movable by a shaft 14 in a wellunderstood manner. 60

A winch drum 15 comprising the usual core with circular flanged ends ismounted to rotate idly on the shaft 8. Clutch mechanism 16 is mounted onthe left end of shaft 8 (Fig. 5), and couples said shaft with the drumwhereby power is transmitted to said drum' to cause its rotation' Theclutch mechanism 16 comprises a pair of clutch jaws, one of which isfastened to thedrum. The other clutch jaw is keyed toshaft 8, and isadapted to slide thereon and into mesh with the companion clutch jaw onthe drum. The sliding clutch jaw is moved along the shaft 8 by a fork.16and when it meshes with the companion clutch jaw forms a coupling bymeans of which the drum 15 is rotated. The fork 16, by which the slidingclutch jaw is moved, is controlled by lever arms in a well understoodmanner.

The left end of the drum 15 is provided with a brake drum 15 whichextends outwardly therefrom and is provided with a brake band. A beveledring gear 17 is bolted or otherwise secured to the left side of the drum15, and this gear meshes with pinion 18 which is keyed on shaft 19 (Fig.2). The pinion 18 drives shaft 19 which is suitably j ournaled in ahousing which carries bearing 20. The shaft 19 drives sliding clutchgear 21, which is adapted to assume two positions. When gear 21 isengaged with gear22 a direct drive is given to worm 23. When the gear 21is meshed with gear 24 through a counter shaft 24 (Fig. 6), a differentspeed is transmitted to worm 23. The Worm 23 meshes with worm wheel 25,and transmitstherethrough power to cam shaft 26. The cam shaft 26 isjournaled at one end in worm housing 27 and, at the other end, injournal support 28.

The cam shaft 26 is provided practically throughout its length with anendless thread, which is properly pitched to operate a cam follower, tobe presently described.

The cam shaft 26 is positioned in a horizontal plane and lies parallelto a guide shaft 29, which is also supported by the worm housing 27 andjournal support 28. The cam shaft 26 and guide shaft 29 provide slidingsupports for a carriage 30. This carriage is adapted to reciprocate uponthe parallel 100 horizontal shafts 26 and 29 from an extreme position ineither direction. A cam follower 31 is adjustably mounted in a journal32 which permits the cam follower 31 to oscillate on the cam shaft 26.The oscillation of the cam follower 31 on the cam shaft 26 is caused bythe proper mounting of said cam follower in the journal 32. This journalis screwed into the carriage 30 so that the came follower lies in suchposition that its oscillation is forced along the endless thread on thecam shaft 26 by its rotation. The carriage 30 is thus caused toreciprocate on the cam shaft 26 and the guide shaft 29, in eitherdirection. The cam follower 31 travels in the endless thread from oneend of the cam shaft 26 to opposite end, and is then automaticallyreturned toward its starting point. This movement is continued and thecarriage is reciprocated until the rotation of the cam shaft ceases whenthe power is shut off by the disengagement of the clutch mechanism 1associated with the sprocket 13. The disengagement of the clutchmechanism 16 associated with shaft 8 of the winch drum 15 may also beused to disconnect the power.

The drum 15 is adapted to have a winch line 33, wound thereon, and thepassage of the winch line to and from said drum, is guided by a pair ofrollers 35 and a sheave 34. The sheave 34 is journaled on a sheave shaft36, and lies in an approximate central position in the carriage 30. Thesheave shaft 36 oscillates in a perpendicular direction in carriage 30upon the guide shaft 29. A cam 37 positioned on the top of the carriage30 is controlled by a handle 38. Upon movement of the handle 38, the cam37 is caused to actuate plungers 39 and reciprocate them in cylindricalopenings in an eccentric cap support 40. The plungers providecompression for springs 41 which engage the surface of the sheave shaft36 and provide a brake for the winch line 33. This braking action forthe winch line is brought about by the pressure exerted on the sheaveshaft 36 by the compression springs 41, and causes the space between thesheave 34 and the brake block 42 to be reduced, thus providing tensionto lock the winch line 33 between these elements.

The sheave shaft 36 forms a support for a bracket comprising twoparallel arm members 43, 43, and extended fork flanges 43, 43. Themembers 43 are positioned on the sheave shaft 36 at each side of thesheave 34, and are provided with alined openings through which thesheave shaft 36 passes. The forked flanges 43 are provided with alinedopenings in which shafts 44 are placed to journal the rollers 35, 35.The rollers 35, 35 lie in a plane of 90 with respect to the sheave 34.The mounting of the arm members 43 in the manner described permit therollers 35 to assume adjustable positions and move in an are about theaxis of the sheave shaft 36, as determined by the angle from which theline is being pulled. The winch l1ne passes between the rollers 35 whichact as guides therefor. The winch line is thus guided over the brakeblock 42 and beneath the sheave 34, and thence passes to the drum 15 Thewinch line is therefore guided on said drum regardless of the angle fromwhich the winch line is being pulled.

A clamp 45 is provided at one end of the drum 15 to hold the end of awinch line securely to the drum. This clamp is positioned in a cut-awayportion at an intersection formed by the core and flange of the drum andthe outer portion of such clamp forms a hook like member 45 whichembraces the winch line. A screw passes through an aperture provided inthe clamp member into the core of the drum, and thus holds the clampwith its embraced winch line securely in position against the surface ofthe drum.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated an alternative manner to that illustratedand described in connection with Fig. 2 by which the speed of the camshaft 26 may be operated to accommodate winch lines of differentdiameters. When the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 is used with thisimproved device, the apparatus appearing at the left of the dotted lineA-A in Fig. 2 is dispensed with, and a cap is,

placed at the end of the gear case at this point. The worm 23 may beintegral with the shaft 19 or keyed thereto to cause the simultaneousrotation of the shaft 19 and worm 23.

In order to obtain the proper speed for winch lines of differentdiameters, a gear casing 46 (Figs. 2 and 6) may be applied to the end ofthe cam shaft 26 attached to worm housing 27. This gear casing containsthe same elements as depicted in Fig. 2. The operation of the gearelements in this case is the same as described in connection with Fig.2. In the case of Fig. 6, however, power is taken from the Worm wheel tocause the cam shaft 26 to rotate at different speeds.

A gear shift rod 47 is j ournaled in the easing 46, and is provided witha finger engaging member 48 which is positioned in a groove provided inthe gear 21. her 48 serves to slide the gear 21 along the cam shaft 26into mesh with the gear 22 to produce low speed rotation of the camshaft 26, or into mesh with the gear 24 to produce a different speed ofrotation of the cam shaft.

26. The operation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6 otherwise operatesthe same as that outlined in connection with the operation of themechanism shown in Fig. 2.

In the operation of the improved device, the winch line is passedthrough the parallel rollers thence between the brake block and sheaveand the end of said line is clamped to the drum. The shift rodassociated with the gear case is set at a positi0n to give the de- Themem-;

iii!

used. The main drive control lever associat-.

ed with the clutches controllin the drive sprocket rotation is nowoperate furnishing power for the driven sprocket. The driven sprocketcauses the rotation of the worm and worm wheel, which in turn cause therotation of the winch drum shaft. Through the operation of leverscontrolling the winch drum clutches, power is transmitted to cause therotation of the winch drum.

The rotation of the winch drum transmits power through its ring gear tothe pinion and worm and worm wheel and causes the rotation of the camshaft. The rotation of the cam shaft causes the movement of the carriagealong the endless thread by means of the cam follower.

The carriage reciprocating on the cam shaft at the end of each layer ofwinch line on the drum automatically returns or reverses its directionand continues the laying of the winch line. The distribution of thewinch line is thus proceeded with, and said winch line is wound inorderly layers on the drum.

The brake is automatically released from the line when it is being woundon the drum iinder tension, thus preventing wear on the me. A

When it is desired to have a slack line of considerable length with afreely rotating drum, the handle controlling the cam is re leased andthis relieves any tension on the line.

It will be obvious that when the drumclutch is disengaged to permit thefree rotation of the drum for the purpose of freely unwinding the winchline from the drum, the carriage will reciprocate on the cam shaftduring such unwinding operation. The carriage will thus travel back andforth in accordance with the unwinding of the winch line, and is alwaysat the proper position to start rewinding said line on the winch drum inorderly layers.

What is claimed is:

1. A winch rope winder comprising a rotatable drum, a pair of shaftspositioned parallel to the drum, a carriage mounted to reciprocate onsaid shafts and moving in synchronism with the drum, means adj ustablymounted in said carriage and automatically movable thereon in a planeperpendicular to the axis of the drum for guiding rope in orderly layerson and from said drum, and automatic braking mechanism associated withsaid means for locking the rope on said drum.

2. A winch rope winder comprising a rotatable drum, a cam-shaft amd aguide shaft positioned parallel to the drum, said camshaft beingprovided with an endless thread, a carriage mounted on said shafts,means positioned on said carriage and engaging the endless threadwhereby the carriage'is caused to reciprocate on said shafts upon therotation of the drum, means adjustably mounted on said carriage andautomatically movable thereon in a plane-perpendicular to the axis ofthe drum for guiding rope in orderly layers on and from said drum,-andautomatic braking mechanism associated with the last mentioned means forlocking the rope on said drum.

3. A winch rope winder comprising a rotatable drum, a pair of shaftspositioned parallel to the drum, one of said shafts havmg a gearconnection with the drum, a carriage mountedto reciprocate on saidshafts upon the rotation of one of the shafts, means adjustably mountedin said carriage and automatically movable in a plane perpendicular tothe axisof the drum for guiding rope in orderly layers on and from saiddrum, and automatic braking mechanism associated with said means forlockingv the rope on said drum.

4. Winch rope winder comprising a rotatable drum provided at one endwith gear mechanism, a cam-shaft and a guide shaft positioned parallelto the drum, said camshaft being provided with gear mechanism and anendless thread, an intermediate gear mechanism for connecting the gearmechanism of the drum with that of the cam-shaft to cause its rotation,a carriage mounted on said shafts, means positioned on said carriage andengaging the endless thread whereby the carriage is caused toreciprocate on said shafts upon the rotation of the camshaft, meansadjustably mounted on said carriage and automatically movable thereon ina plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum for guiding rope inorderly layers on and from said drum, and automatic braking mechanismassociated with the last mentioned means for locking the rope on saiddrum.

5. A winch rope winder comprising a rotatable drum, a pair of shaftspositioned parallel to the drum, a gear member connecting said drum withone of said shafts to drive it at different speeds, a carriage mount edto reciprocate on said shafts and moving in synchronism with the drum, apair of rotatablemembers mounted in said carriage and automaticallymovable about one of said shafts in a plane perpendicular to the axis ofthe drum for guiding rope in orderly layers on and from said drum, andautomatic braking mechanism associated with said rotatable members forlocking the rope on said drum.

6. A winch rope wider comprising a rotatable drum, gear mechanism onsaid drum, a cam-shaft and a guide shaft positioned parallel to thedrum, said cam-shaft being provided with gear mechanism and an endlessthread, a gear member connecting the gear mechanism of the drum with thegear mechanism of the cam-shaft to drive it at different speeds, acarriage mounted on said shafts, a cam-follower positioned on saidcarriage and engaging the endless thread whereby the carriage is causedto reciprocate on said shafts upon the rotation of the camshaft, rollermembers adj ustably mounted on said carriage and automatically movablein a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum for guiding rope inorderly layers on and from said drum, and automatic braking mechanismassociated with one of said roller members for locking the rope on saiddrum.

7. A winch rope Winder comprising a rotatable drum, a pair of shaftspositioned pa 'allel to'the drum, a carriage mounted to reciprocate onsaid shafts and moving in synchronism with the drum, means comprisingparallel roller members and a sheave adjustably mounted in said carriageand movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum for guidingrope in orderly layers on and from said drum, a brake block on saidcarriage, and means associated with said carriage for automaticallymoving said sheave to cooperate with said brake block to lock the rope.

8. A winch rope winder comprising a r0 tatable drum, a stationary shaftand a rotatable shaft positioned parallel to the drum, a carriagemounted to reciprocate on said shafts and moving in synchronism with thedrum. a plurality of rotatable members adjustably mounted in saidcarriage and movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drumfor guiding rope in orderly layers on and from said drum, and automaticbraking mechanism including one of the rotatable members for locking therope on said drum.

9. A winch rope winder comprising a rotatable drum, a cam-shaft and aguide shaft positioned parallel to the drum, said camshaft beingprovided with an endles thread, a carriage mounted on said shafts, meanspositioned on said carriage and engaging the endless thread whereby thecarriage is caused to reciprocate on said shafts upon the rotation ofthe drum, means comprising a pair of parallel roller members and asheave mounted on said carriage for guiding rope in order- 1y layers onand from said drum, and automatic braking mechanism including saidsheave for locking the rope on said drum.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specificationthis 26th day of October 1928.

TEMPLE C. SMITH. JOHN B. SPOWART. PAUL G. FITZPATRICK.

